NIU rallies from 14-point deficit, tops EMU 30-27 in OT

Oct. 27, 2017

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Marcus Jones had the only touchdown in overtime and Northern Illinois scored on three of its final four drives to rally past Eastern Michigan 30-27 on Thursday night.

Eastern Michigan's Paul Fricano missed three field goals, including a 42-yarder at the end of regulation. He opened the extra period with a 35-yard field goal after the Eagles ran three plays. D.J. Brown gained 12-yards along the right side on NIU's first play of OT and Jones won it with a 9-yard run.

Marcus Childerswas 23 of 40 for 278 yards and two touchdowns for Northern Illinois (6-2, 4-0 Mid-American Conference). Brown made seven catches for 104 yards and a score.

NUI took a 7-0 lead after Brown broke a tackle and raced for a 69-yard touchdown reception. On EMU's next offensive play, Sergio Bailey II was left wide open over the middle for a 68-yard TD.

Eastern Michigan (2-6, 0-4) went ahead 14-7 after Mathew Sexton's blocked punt and Jaron Johnson' recovery in the end zone. It was the Eagles' first blocked punt for a score since Nathan Adams' TD against Morgan State in 2014.

Before the game, NIU unveiled a bronze statue of its former Siberian husky mascot Diesel outside of Huskie Stadium. He gained national attention after high-fiving a cheerleader on ESPN in 2013.